B2 adjective Neutral

muscular

/ˈmʌs.kjə.lər/

Relating to the muscles of the body or having well-developed, strong muscles. It is also used metaphorically to describe something that is powerful, forceful, or vigorous in its approach.

Examples

3 of 5
1

He has a very muscular build from years of working as a professional athlete.

He has a very muscular build from years of working as a professional athlete.

2

The patient showed signs of improved muscular coordination after three months of specialized physical therapy.

The patient showed signs of improved muscular coordination after three months of specialized physical therapy.

3

Look at that muscular guy lifting the heavy sofa all by himself!

Look at that muscular guy lifting the heavy sofa all by himself!

Word Family

Noun
muscle
Verb
muscle
Adverb
muscularly
Adjective
muscular
Related
muscularity
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Memory Tip

Think of the word 'Muscle'. Add 'ar' to describe how a body looks. Imagine a 'Muscular' person lifting a heavy 'Car'.

Quick Quiz

The athlete's ___________ development was the result of a strict training regime and diet.

Correct!

The correct answer is: muscular

Examples

1

He has a very muscular build from years of working as a professional athlete.

everyday

He has a very muscular build from years of working as a professional athlete.

2

The patient showed signs of improved muscular coordination after three months of specialized physical therapy.

formal

The patient showed signs of improved muscular coordination after three months of specialized physical therapy.

3

Look at that muscular guy lifting the heavy sofa all by himself!

informal

Look at that muscular guy lifting the heavy sofa all by himself!

4

The research focuses on the muscular response to sustained anaerobic exercise in high-altitude environments.

academic

The research focuses on the muscular response to sustained anaerobic exercise in high-altitude environments.

5

The company adopted a more muscular approach to negotiations to secure the international contract.

business

The company adopted a more muscular approach to negotiations to secure the international contract.

Word Family

Noun
muscle
Verb
muscle
Adverb
muscularly
Adjective
muscular
Related
muscularity

Common Collocations

muscular strength muscular strength
muscular tension muscular tension
muscular physique muscular physique
muscular dystrophy muscular dystrophy
muscular aches muscular aches

Common Phrases

muscular effort

muscular effort

muscular system

muscular system

muscular Christianity

muscular Christianity

Often Confused With

muscular vs masculine

'Masculine' refers to qualities typically associated with men, while 'muscular' refers specifically to physical muscle development.

muscular vs muscle

'Muscle' is a noun referring to the tissue, whereas 'muscular' is the adjective describing the state or quality of having muscles.

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Usage Notes

While primarily used to describe physical appearance, 'muscular' is increasingly used in political or business contexts to mean 'assertive' or 'forceful'.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use the noun 'muscle' as an adjective (e.g., 'a muscle man') instead of the more standard 'muscular man'.

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Memory Tip

Think of the word 'Muscle'. Add 'ar' to describe how a body looks. Imagine a 'Muscular' person lifting a heavy 'Car'.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'musculus', meaning 'little mouse', because the shape of a contracting muscle was thought to look like a mouse moving under the skin.

Grammar Patterns

Commonly used before a noun (attributive position). Can follow a linking verb like 'be' or 'become' (predicative position). Often modified by degree adverbs like 'extremely' or 'highly'.
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Cultural Context

In many modern societies, a muscular physique is often culturally associated with health, discipline, and personal success.

Quick Quiz

The athlete's ___________ development was the result of a strict training regime and diet.

Correct!

The correct answer is: muscular

Related Words

overhospence

C1

Describing a quality of being excessively or intrusively hospitable to the point of making a guest feel overwhelmed or uncomfortable. It implies that the host's efforts to be welcoming have crossed a boundary into being burdensome or stifling.

excelership

C1

Describing a state of superior leadership and technical mastery, particularly within a corporate or organizational structure. It characterizes individuals or actions that demonstrate both exceptional performance and the ability to guide others toward high-level goals.

homosophful

C1

Describing a state of possessing shared wisdom or having a mindset that aligns with universal human understanding. It is often used to characterize individuals or groups that exhibit profound, common-sense insight or an intellectual harmony with their community.

abphotoion

C1

To remove or displace an ion from a molecular structure using concentrated light energy or radiation. It is a specialized term used in advanced physics and chemical engineering to describe the precise detachment of particles via photon interaction.

undertrudless

C1

To execute a series of tasks or navigate a complex system with a complete absence of resistance or friction. It implies bypassing the usual 'trudge' or difficulty associated with a process, often in a mechanical or systematic way.

prodentation

C1

Characterized by the forward projection or protrusion of teeth or tooth-like structures. It is a specialized term used primarily in anatomical, biological, or technical descriptions to indicate a feature that juts outward.

regratine

C1

Regratine refers to the historical trade practice of purchasing commodities, particularly food, at a market and reselling them in the same or a nearby market at an inflated price. It was traditionally considered a form of unethical profiteering or price manipulation in medieval and early modern economic systems.

prehabment

C1

The process of engaging in physical conditioning and strengthening exercises prior to a surgical procedure or a period of intense physical exertion. It is used to improve physiological resilience, reduce the risk of injury, and accelerate the subsequent recovery process.

anteregess

C1

A specialized term used primarily in academic and logical testing contexts to describe a preliminary stage of advancement or a forward-moving phase that precedes a primary event. It represents an initial step in a sequence that establishes the necessary conditions for further progress.

inclarive

C1

A noun referring to a rhetorical or logical construct that is intentionally broad yet lacks specific detail, often used to encompass various possibilities without committing to one. It describes a state where inclusion is prioritized over precision, leading to a calculated ambiguity.

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